Bengaluru: Skin Expert said that they saw an increase in the number of people who had recovered from Covid-19 looking for hair help.
The contributing factors are stress, inflammatory reactions in the body during infection, drugs given during covid treatment, and the virus itself, they said.
But the doctor said it was only a temporary phase.
‘Telogen effluvium’, when the doctor calls it, it is a loss while hair, especially at the top of the scalp and is usually triggered by stress, shock, or traumatic events.
Doctors say, many have recovered from strand complaining Covid when they just run their hands through their hair.
Afraid to even comb “some patients say they are afraid to comb their hair because their hair continues to fall,” said Dr.
Anil Abraham, Dermatologist and Trichology, Skin Clinic Abraham and Hair.
While only 2% of the OPD consultation related to previous hair loss, now has risen by around 15% post-covid, said Dr.
Abraham.
Shailaja (name changes), 38, a housewife, said her hair fell every time she combed or was bathed, and she panicked afraid she had a serious illness.
Asking, the trichologist knows that he has recovered from Covid in April.
Serum ferritin (iron shop) and low vitamin D.
With a supplement and dietary treatment, the problem is almost disappearing.
Two to three months “any disease can push the hair from growing into the fall phase,” said Dr.
Nelima Sharma, Dokologist, Malathi Manipal Hospital.
“The whole process takes around 2-3 months.
Those who have Covid in April-May are now facing problems.
We are increasingly seeing such cases.” Usually hair loss is caused by damage or because of the shedding of the root, said Dr.
Abraham.
“Post-covid, it’s shed from the root.
Hair gets into the phase falling because 60-70% of the root becomes weak.
The good news is that it is reversible,” Dr.
Abraham said.
Dr.
Sharma said that there were several cases where people lost most of their hair in the span of 15 days and in some cases men had bald.
Children are also not immune.
The doctor said the severity of infection was not a problem.
“I have seen patients who are in the ventilator and people who have mild symptoms.
This is not a stress factor, but the virus itself plays a role,” Dr Sharma said.
Dr Shireen Furtado, Consultants, Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology, Aster Hospital CMI, said there were whole families who came with the same problem.
About 15 of the 40 patients in the OPD in a day are cases of hair loss, the 10th post-covid case.
“This generally occurs 90 post-covid days,” Dr.
Furtado said.
Dr.
Furtado said in any virus infection, the body naturally prepares to protect vital organs.
“The skin, hair, and nails become very few nutrients.
After three months the body has used all the sources of biotin.
The nail cuticle becomes pointed and fragile and the skin becomes dry,” he said.
Checking the nails of people who complain of hair loss as important, he said, adding that the skin, nails, and hair are signs of health to someone.
Do not bank at Remediesdr House Furtado, say the lack of micronutrients is what needs to be addressed.
“Instead of wasting time with home medicine and hoping for things will increase, it is much better to visit quality dermatologists or trichologists and get the right treatment,” said Dr.
Abraham.
“Blood tests often show B12 deficiency, vitamin D or low serum ferritin.
This can be connected to less external activities and exposure to sunlight or an unhealthy diet.”